Splash around at these five aquatic adventures

Published on 15 Aug 2017.

Beat the tropical heat by getting wet and wild. Your options are aplenty: sail on the open sea, skim the ocean with a ‘hoverboard’, or take the kids to a water theme park. Just remember to pack your shades, slap on some sunblock and drink plenty of fluids for your epic aquatic adventure.

Stand-up paddling at SUP School

Surf’s up! Well, not the extreme sport you’re thinking, but stand-up paddling, an easier alternative to surfing taught at SUP School (S$60-S$100). Still, it sounds simpler than it actually is: standing or kneeling on a large surfboard, you’re meant to row forward using a paddle—it will put your balance and core strength to the test. Even kids above seven can get in on the action, provided they are good swimmers.

Once you’ve mastered the basics of stand-up paddling, challenge yourself by adding yoga and Pilates to the mix. At the instructor’s cue, you’ll be performing your downward dog and bridge poses while balancing on the board.

Outrigger Canoeing at Singapore Paddle Club

Dragon boating at Kallang Riverside

Ever cheered on paddlers from afar and wondered how you can get in on the fun? Pick up Outrigger Canoeing at Singapore Paddle Club's rookie sessions (S$50/three sessions), held every other Saturday in Sentosa OR Dragon Boating at Kallang Riverside (T&C required). You’ll learn proper paddling techniques and the rules of the sport during the 90-minute training, and even tweens as young as 12 can join in.

If you’ve got rowing in your blood, the Singapore Dragon Boat Association rents out dragon boats two weeks in advance (S$64.20-S$267.50). Gather a group of four or more paddlers, hop on the long vessel, and make your way down the Kallang River. You’ll be treated to sights of the Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Sands® and the glorious city skyline—all from a vantage point not commonly seen.

Sailing at Changi Sailing Club

You’d better have good sea legs for this one—Changi Sailing Club’s dinghy sailing course (from S$385.20/four sessions) takes you out to the waters off the island’s north-eastern coast for a full day of learning the ropes. You’ll master tying sailing knots, learn seamen’s terms and be acquainted with how to sail a Laser Pico or Byte. The more advanced sailors can go for the Level 1 Sailing Proficiency course (S$160.50/one session) or Keelboat Level 1 course (S$535/four sessions). Head’s up for those with kids in tow: only teens above 14 can set sail, and they can only sign up for the dinghy course.

Water adventure rides at Wild Wild Wet

Woosh down high-speed water rides and slides at the adrenaline-inducing Wild Wild Wet (S$14-S$30). Thrill-seekers, get your kicks from the rapids of Southeast Asia’s first raft slide, experience free-falling from the 18-metre-high Torpedo slide, and accelerate down the four-storey Slide Up ramp. Then, take a breather as you drift down the 335-metre-long lazy river or relax on a float in the wave pool.

Meanwhile, let the children run amok at the Professor’s Playground, where slides, water cannons and swings will be a sure hit. There’s even a shallow water play area, with soft play equipment, for the tots.

Jetblading at Ola Beach Club

At Ola Beach Club, a seaside retreat takes a high-octane turn—rather than lounging with a piña colada, you’ll be flying above the ocean on ‘jetblades’ (S$228-S$298). With your feet strapped into a hoverboard-like device, torrents of water will propel you as high as 15 metres in the air. The beach club also offers water-powered jetpacks that you can sling on, manouevre with hand-held controls, and make like Rocketman high above the sea. If you’ve got kids under 15 years old, though, they’ll have to sit this one out.